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The CNN/Media Matters plot thickens

August 04, 2009 9:36 pm ET by Eric Boehlert

Greg Sargent reports [emphasis added]:

I’m told by a CNN source that the network privately pressed cable operators not to run the Media Matters ad attacking Dobbs, which pilloried his footsie with the birthers as CNN’s “Lou Dobbs problem.”

Media Matters had previously booked a week’s worth of ad time on MSNBC, Fox, and CNN — during Dobbs’ show.

The pressure, which came before CNN publicly acknowledged that they were nixing the ad, suggests that the network may have been more rattled by the campaign against Dobbs — and by the prospect of public criticism of Dobbs running on the network — than has been previously known. The network may have hoped to shut down the ad without being publicly associated with that effort.

It’s also rather intriguing that CNN has been unwilling to pressure Dobbs to rein in the birther talk — but was willing to press cable operators not to run a paid-for ad questioning it.

Why on earth is CNN urging competing cable news outlets not to run specific ads? Bizarre.

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    • Author by reanna-mator (August 04, 2009 9:43 pm ET)
      2  
      It's more cost effective to pressure news outlets not to run an ad, and a lot less risky than rocking the boat on the station itself. Fortunately, Dobbs' ratings are falling, and perhaps that fact will reverse itself soon, and CNN will realize that Dobbs is a liability as long as he continues his tirade.
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    • Author by ForTheLoveOfEllipsis... (August 04, 2009 10:32 pm ET)
      2  
      Actually, this sounds like CNN went to the cable providers--e. g., Comcast, Atlantic, Cox, etc.--and threatened them with some sort of consequences if they ran the MMfA ad. Sounds to me like something that AG Holder needs to be investigating...
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      • Author by dmhack (August 04, 2009 10:52 pm ET)
           
        I think that's what they did too. The cable providers have spots where they can dump in their own commercials.

        But here's what I can't figure--CNN is pretty dependent on the cable companies, so it's not like they'd willingly yank themselves off the air in a tiff with an operator. So what could CNN use as a realistic threat?
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        • Author by ForTheLoveOfEllipsis... (August 04, 2009 10:59 pm ET)
             
          Good question, dm; I'm not an expert on the business relations between cable providers and networks, but CNN clearly thinks it has some leverage with the cable providers. And considering I have not yet seen the ad anywhere on my cable service, it must have some weight to it...
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        • Author by carlileb5935 (August 05, 2009 5:00 am ET)
          1  
          "So what could CNN use as a realistic threat?"

          That's an easy one-- it's called CNN Headline News.

          This separate news channel gives a 10 minute slot every two hours right over to the cable companies to run their own "news" spots-- which right now are innocuous, but in 2 years time will be insidious.

          Charter uses the time, for one.

          What CNN is doing (speculating) is threatening them on this, and using it as leverage.

          In fact, MMFA should investigate this local "news" programming before it goes off the rails and turns into propagandizing and blatant political manipulation. It will.
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    • Author by IRONY 101 (August 04, 2009 11:52 pm ET)
      1  
      Sounds to me like the people at CNN have no cojones...frightened little puppies. They will hold onto Dobbs and continue to make lame excuses for him until such time as that position becomes untenable...and then they'll cut Lou loose faster than you can say Orly Taitz. But it has nothing to do with integrity...
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      • Author by dmhack (August 05, 2009 1:28 am ET)
           
        Speaking of Orly... if you want a laugh check out Olbermann tonight. He appears to get her last name wrong... appears being the operative word.
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    • Author by eweston8542983 (August 05, 2009 12:06 am ET)
         
      Its like the effect of water on certain witches of OZ.
      The truth will make them melt. I don't think the veiwing public is ready to see a cable network melt before their slack eyeballs.
      The ratings would probably be good though!
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    • Author by captfoster2 (August 05, 2009 12:57 am ET)
      1  
      What is so funny about the reaction from CNN is that they are sounding rather nervous that MMfA is on to something that CNN is embarrassed or scared about?

      Lou Dobbs ain't that damn important!
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    • Author by ecw0647 (August 05, 2009 11:12 am ET)
         
      I'm surprised that no one went after Dobbs for using the airways in his badly hidden campaign for president last fall. That whole independent party convention nonsense was an ill-disguised attempt to promote himself in a highly political manner. CNN, itself, has become a disgrace. 20 minutes of telling us what's "coming up," following by some panel speculating about what "might" happen. Little news reporting at all. And we won't even talk about Wolfgang Blitzkrieg. But they do have nifty technology.
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